Social & Emotional Learning #SELday
SEL = Social and Emotional Learning
Is it just another acronym in education?
Is it just a phase?
Is it optional?
Is it “extra” and “fluff”?
………..NO!
What is SEL?
Social and emotional learning is learning. It is the connector between all other aspects within the educational experience of a child—therefore, all learning has components of SEL. How we teach content areas is how we need to teach SEL, with intention, purpose, and explicit instruction. Every student, every grade, every day.
SEL skills are the most essential skills that children (and adults) need to be who they are in the world.
What are SEL skills?
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has been researching SEL for over two decades and continues to refine how we define SEL and the necessary skills within particular areas. They developed a holistic framework that contains the competencies for the SEL skills.
Click the image below to see each layer:
What are the benefits of SEL?
When SEL is embedded into the fabric of the school day, students thrive. SEL also adds the layer of equity and inclusion, ALL kids can experience and learn the skills. The two main (logistical) benefits are academic scores increase (research has shown an increase of 11 percentile points) and there is a reduction in behavior referrals. However, the main lasting benefits are even beyond measure and assessments, they are deeply internal that only each child can know how it has impacted their life individually—now and in the future.
As a Climate & SEL Coach, the most fulfilling experience is seeing the transformation within a classroom when SEL is a part of each aspect of their day. The students feel connected to each other and their teacher, they pause to check-in with how they feel and view from another perspective, they think of creative solutions when faced with a challenge while continuing to push through resistance with perseverance, and they respond rather than react as they build empathy and understanding. Both the students and the teacher share a space of belonging and purpose which allow for mistakes, risks, engagement, passion, and joy.
How do you teach SEL?
Connect with me for an SEL coaching conversation to explore together
It starts with asking the question, “What SEL skill(s) are my next teaching move?”
I created an acronym that we learn SEL “ON A PD” day <<< which couldn’t be further from the truth since SEL is lifelong and ongoing, but it is an easy way to remember. See the graphic below and feel free to reach out if you want to explore this deeper. I am also including an SEL freebie for your SEL planning.
Social and emotional learning has the opportunity to be the treasure within your classroom. This also helps the butterfly within the hearts of both you and your students spread their wings to soar.
I hope you feel inspired and empowered to integrate SEL and well-being as the foundation of your teaching and leading practices. SEL is for the entire learning community, for students AND adults who support them. We still have a long way to go, but today on #SELday, we celebrate the progress we have made and where we are going. Join together at selday.org and share how SEL impacts your life and the lives of your students.
